In the celestial realms, the ancestors partake of the sacred nectar that flows from the moon’s rays. For two portions of time, they drink this divine essence, and the remaining portion, which streams forth at the new moon, becomes the nectar offered in rituals on earth. Satisfied by this best of nectars for a month, the ancestors then depart, having consumed the portion belonging to the fifteenth day. As that fifteenth part wanes, at each new moon, it is gradually replenished. Thus, the waxing and waning of the moon at the beginning of each fortnight and on the sixteenth day are remembered, for it is by the sun’s influence that the moon waxes during the bright fortnight. High above, the chariots of the planets traverse the heavens in splendor. The son of Soma, the Moon, rides a chariot yoked with eight horses—creatures of water and light, adorned with a tawny radiance. Shukra, the wise preceptor of the Daityas, moves upon a chariot drawn by ten slender, multi-colored horses of the earth. The chariot of Mars is resplendent in gold with eight horses, and Jiva’s chariot, also golden with eight horses, follows. Saturn’s chariot, in contrast, is forged of iron. Rahu’s chariot is drawn by ten horses of water, white and varied in hue, while the chariots of Ketu and the Sun each have eight horses. All these planetary chariots are fixed to Dhruva, the Pole Star, and move by the force of wind-rays. Thus rotated, they journey in their appointed order. As many as there are stars in the firmament, so many are the rays emanating outward, all anchored to the Pole Star, revolving and causing it to revolve as well. Their movement is likened to the rim of a firebrand wheel, spun by the wheel of wind, and the wind that carries these celestial lights is known as Pravaha. The lunar mansions, the Sun, and the hosts of planets and stars all face toward and away from each other, forming a great wheel established in the sky. Anchored by the Pole Star, they revolve clockwise around it, ever eager to behold the lord of the heavens, steadfast in its place. The Sun’s orb spans a diameter of nine thousand yojanas, its circumference three times that measure. The Moon’s extent is said to be twice that of the Sun, and Svarbhanu equals both, moving below them. Svarbhanu, having taken the earth’s shadow shaped like a circle, occupies a third great region, one made of darkness. A sixteenth part of the Moon is assigned to Venus, measured by their diameters, circles, and distances. Jupiter is less by a quarter than Venus, and Mars and Saturn are each less by a quarter than Jupiter, their sizes unequal. Mercury, in turn, is less by a quarter in both diameter and circle compared to Mars and Saturn. The stars and constellations shine with forms equal to Mercury, and the wise know that those stars associated with the Moon are generally of this kind. Among the stars and constellations, their forms decrease in size by five hundred, four hundred, three hundred, and two hundred yojanas. Above them are the smallest circles of stars, each measuring two yojanas, with nothing smaller to be found. Above these lesser stars are three distant-moving planets: Saturn, Mars, and the retrograde planet, known for their slow pace. Below them are the four swift planets: the Sun, Moon, Mercury, and Venus. The number of stars is as many crores as there are constellations, all fixed along the path of the constellations, their positions established by rule from the Pole Star. The Sun, drawn by seven horses, rises and sets in due order. When the Moon travels on the northern path at the junctions, it appears swiftly, though its rays are not very distinct; on the southern path, it follows a lower course. At the times of full and new moons, the Sun, encircled by the earth, is seen, and at the appointed hour, it quickly sets. Thus, when the Moon is on the northern path at new moon, it is seen; on the southern path, it is not visible, as ordained. When the movements of the luminaries coincide, the Sun is veiled in darkness, and at the equinoxes, sunrise and sunset occur at the same time. In the northern courses, sunrise and sunset are intermediate, and at full and new moons, they follow the wheel of light. When the radiant Sun moves on the southern path, it passes below all the planets. The Moon, making a wide circle, moves above the Sun, and above the Moon circles the entire band of constellations. Above the constellations is Mercury; above Mercury, Venus; above Venus, Mars; and above Mars, Jupiter. Beyond the slow-moving planets lies the region of the Seven Sages, and above them is the fixed seat of Dhruva, the Pole Star. Whoever knows that supreme realm of Vishnu, situated at a distance of two thousand and one hundred yojanas, is freed from all sin. Above the planets, stars, and constellations, in their proper order, are found the planets, and the Moon and Sun, radiant with divine brilliance. Always united with the constellations, they move day and night in sequence, occupying positions that are low, high, or straight. At their conjunctions and separations, people witness their movements together. All six seasons come together in fivefold ways, and these are mutually established and unite with one another. The wise understand that their conjunctions occur without confusion, each following the eternal order set in the heavens.